So last weekend Mort, myself and friend, Ben took a trip to Koh Samet for the weekend. It is an island south east of Bangkok and about 3 hours drive away, if the driver knows where he is going and doesn't stop for 20 or so mins for petrol!
We had a lovely time although there was rain alot of the time. However I still managed to burn!!!!! Eek!!
We got a speed boat across from the mainland and washed up on beach right infront of Tub Tim, the resort we stayed at. We slept in an air conditioned hut and had breakfast included.
Friday evening we watched a fire show and chilled at a bar and did a spot of dancing.
Saturday was a very chilled out day sitting by the beach at our resort and going for long swims in the sea. We also hired kayaks for an hour and kayaked along the beaches. Saturday evening is when it started to rain and barely stopped the rest of the weekend except for one hour when we went swimming on Sunday. So the rest of the time we continued to chill and eat at our resort.
Late Sunday afternoon we got totally soaked returning to mainland in a speed boat and then wading through flooded roads to get a taxi. Eventually we got home about 8pm.
All in all we had a super relaxing weekend by the refreshing beach, amongst many ants and I sure other creepy crawlies as well!
Photos will be added another time as they are not on this computer!
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Friday, September 2, 2011
So we've been living here for nearly 4 weeks...
First Impressions of Bangkok
Well I thought I'd start this blog to keep you as up-to-date as I can of our adventures in Thailand!
Since arriving in Bangkok I have been pretty much non-stop with work. When we arrived we were taken to a basic hotel close to my school, so it was handy. The following day after we looked at some different properties and eventually decided on the one for us. It is a fairly new condo called 'Four Wings'. We have fitness membership for the year which means that we have access to the condo pool, hotel pool, gym, squash, badminton, basketball, table tennis, yoga/aerobics classes and a couple of other things!! We are enjoying our comfy western style living!
We didn't move in til the Thursday so ended up staying in a really nice hotel for our third night.
On the Saturday I had the first of my 3 day Thai Culture course that was completed on Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday I had school INSETs.
Impressions so far of teaching in a Thai International School
Let's start with the fact that I only have 15 children, quite nice when use to 30! I get at least one session free each day as I don't teach Thai, PE, Music or French/Mandarin. I have a break duty for morning break and lunchtime, however this is nothing like in England as the children seem very mellow and rarely (none!) any issues. There isn't actually a playground. The children play on a field, climbing frame or walk along the outside corridor. I buy my food from the canteen everyday with my coupons which is normally a choice of a noodle dish, rice dish or more western (which costs more) consisting of chips and some type of meat. Oh yes... I mustn't forget my daily shaved ice with a choice of 3 toppings and syrup!!
It has been quite frustrating at times, but I don't want to go too much into that! We have easy access to a B/W printer, but for colour I have to go to the office to print out. Also, photocopying has to be handed in at least 24hours before needed to the photocopying guy (so this means I need to be more organised - not sure that's a bad thing!!). Oh, and having access to laminates, a trimmer (not the nice ones we use in UK but quick pull down leaver while chopping off a few fingers in the process!!). I'll stop there!!!
One more thing that made me smile today and I had to resist laughing, when the children sing in a big group it sounds lovely and very American. My voice sounds so English amongst them!
Well I'll stop for now and let you get on with your own lives! Do leave any comments as I will enjoy reading them.
Since arriving in Bangkok I have been pretty much non-stop with work. When we arrived we were taken to a basic hotel close to my school, so it was handy. The following day after we looked at some different properties and eventually decided on the one for us. It is a fairly new condo called 'Four Wings'. We have fitness membership for the year which means that we have access to the condo pool, hotel pool, gym, squash, badminton, basketball, table tennis, yoga/aerobics classes and a couple of other things!! We are enjoying our comfy western style living!
We didn't move in til the Thursday so ended up staying in a really nice hotel for our third night.
On the Saturday I had the first of my 3 day Thai Culture course that was completed on Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday I had school INSETs.
Impressions so far of teaching in a Thai International School
Let's start with the fact that I only have 15 children, quite nice when use to 30! I get at least one session free each day as I don't teach Thai, PE, Music or French/Mandarin. I have a break duty for morning break and lunchtime, however this is nothing like in England as the children seem very mellow and rarely (none!) any issues. There isn't actually a playground. The children play on a field, climbing frame or walk along the outside corridor. I buy my food from the canteen everyday with my coupons which is normally a choice of a noodle dish, rice dish or more western (which costs more) consisting of chips and some type of meat. Oh yes... I mustn't forget my daily shaved ice with a choice of 3 toppings and syrup!!
It has been quite frustrating at times, but I don't want to go too much into that! We have easy access to a B/W printer, but for colour I have to go to the office to print out. Also, photocopying has to be handed in at least 24hours before needed to the photocopying guy (so this means I need to be more organised - not sure that's a bad thing!!). Oh, and having access to laminates, a trimmer (not the nice ones we use in UK but quick pull down leaver while chopping off a few fingers in the process!!). I'll stop there!!!
One more thing that made me smile today and I had to resist laughing, when the children sing in a big group it sounds lovely and very American. My voice sounds so English amongst them!
Well I'll stop for now and let you get on with your own lives! Do leave any comments as I will enjoy reading them.
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